Packing machine



Dec. 5, 1939. A. NOV/OTNY PACKING MACHINE Original Filed Feb. 23, 1935' 9 sheds-sheet 1 I e 5', 1939. A. N voTNY 21,288

PACKING MACHINE Original Filed Feb. 23, 1 935 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Dec. 5, 1939. NOVOTNY I Re. 21,288

PACKING MACHINE Original Filed Feb. 23, 1935 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

19/??0/1 No V023) BY f: E 4 ATTORNEY.

Dec. 5, 1939. A. NOVOTNY R$21,233

PACKING MACHINE Original Filed Feb. 23. 1955 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 A z /YINVEZI ITOR. 0 0/7 0Y0 9 ATTORNEY.

A. NOVOTNY A PACKING MACHINE Dec; 5, 1939.

Original Filed Feb. 23, 1935 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEY.

PACKING MACHINE Dec. 5, 1939.

' 9 Sheets- Sheet 6 Original Filed Feb. 25, 19:56

i IQW/// /////S /34 INVENTOR.

7 if)? /y0 0{'l7/ n BY a a Q g ATTORNEY.

Dec. 5, 1939.

Original Filed Feb. 23, 1935 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII! A. NOVOTNY PACKING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY.

Dgc. 5, 1939. v A. NOVQTNY Re. 21,288

BACKING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 Original Filed "Feb. 23, 1935 INVENTOR. fln/on MI oZ/p ATTORNEY.

A. NOVOTNY PACKING MACHINE Original Filed Feb. 23, 1955 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 Q6 INVENTOR. 1 4 72 0 5 ATTORNEY.

Rciaued 5,1939

I Re. 21,288

UNITED s'rA'rlas- PATENT OFFICE Anton Novotnzfn e tr' ol z lzc sfi gnonbyniesne asaignmtato Standard-Knapp Corporation, Long Island City, N. Y., a corporation of New York Serial No. 7,739, February 23, 1935,

Application for reissue May 20, 1938, Serial No. 209,073

' Claims. ((1220-14) matically withdrawn after delivery; thus the I This invention relates to improvements in packing machines, and refers more particularly to such a mechanism for depositing packages into shipping cases.

It is an object of the invention to provide a packing mechanism wherein a plurality of packages are moved into position opposite a chute, and are automatically discharged onto a platform beside the chute as soon as a predetermined number of packages are opposite the platform; and wherein the movement of the packages onto the platform discharges others thereupon into the chute. I 4

Another object of the invention is to provide 'such a packing mechanism with means for'preventing the functioning of the mechanism by which the packages are discharged onto the platform unless there is a shipping case beneath the chute to receive the other packages to be discharged into it.

A further object of the invention is to provide a packing mechanism comprising a conveyor and feed members adjacent thereto by which packages are passed along the conveyor towards that portion of the latter across which a slide operates to transfer the packages towards a chute when the slide is not in operation; and wherein the feed members function as stops to prevent the passage of packages past them during -the movement of the slide.

Another object of the invention is to provide a packing machine wherein a slide operates transversely of a conveyor to move packages upon the latter onto a platform so that other packages already thereupon are moved by the first named packages over a chute; and wherein a yoke operates with the slide and is provided with contact members which support and steady the other packages being moved over the chute on their sidesopposite those against which pressure is exerted by the packages beingdelivered by the slideonto the platform. Moreover the contact members also tend to prevent the accidental movement of the other packages over the chute when the slide is not in operation.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a packing mechanism wherein packages are delivered down a chute into shipping cases beneath them, and wherein automatic means are provided for holding vertical partitions in the shipping cases upright so'that they do not interfere with the loading of packages; the automatic means being so designed and coordinated that it moves into its partition contacting position prior to delivery of the packages and is autoautomatic means in no wise interferes with the movement of the shipping cases beneath the chute.

Having thus broadly and briefly enumerated a few of the major purposes and advantages of the invention I now proceed to describe a preferred embodiment thereof with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a plan view of the invention.

Figure 2 is a section on the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 2 showing the feed member arrangement and a portion of the drive for the lower conveyor.

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figure 1 showing the counter control for the slide mechanism.

Figure 5 is a sectional view on the line 5--5 of Figure 2 showing the counter and coacting parts, and the arrangement on the lower conveyor for rendering the counter control inoperative.

Figure 6 is an enlarged section on the line 6--6' of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is an enlarged sectional view similar to Figure 6 but with the other cooperating clutch parts engaged.

Figure 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of Figure 6.

v Figure 9 is an enlarged sectionon the line 99 of Figure 1.

Figure 10 is an enlarged partial plan view showing the slide in advanced position.

Figure 11 is a section on the line I l--H of Figure 10.

Figure 12 is an enlarged plan of one form of Q partition spreader for holding the partitions in the shipping cases upright.

Figure 13 is a section on the line l3|3 of Figure 2.

Figure 14 is a partial plan of the lower conveyor.

Figure 15 is a section on the line l5--l5 of Figure 5.

Figure 16 is an enlarged partial plan view showing a modified form of partition spreader.

Figure 1'? is a side view of Figure 16 partly in section.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates a portion of a conventional conveyor chain having supporting attachments la thereon. The conveyor chain is driven from a head sprocket (not shown) and passes around a tail sprocket 2 rotated by the chain movement. The sprocket 2 is freely of, a helical spring l3.

adjacent faces'of the latter and of the plate 9 are registering apertures H and I2 respectively each opposed pair of which house the extremities These .springs hold the friction plate 9 'in contact with the disc 5 and at the same time exert sufficient pressure upon the sprocket 2 to retain the disc 1 in firm contact withthe friction plate 8.

onditions rotation'oi' the sprocket 2 causes rotation of the spindle 3.

Mounted in bearings I4 provided upon the base 5 is a second spindle IS in alignment with the spindle 3. Mounted upon adjacent extremities of the spindles 3 and I5, which are spaced from one another, are cooperating clutch parts I5 and i1 respectively, The clutch part l1, and a sleeve l8 integral with it, are axiallyslidable upon the second spindle l5. Between the bearings H a gear I9 is secured around the spindle I5, and

arranged around the latter between the sleeve l8 and the adjacent bearing I4 is a thrust ring assembly 20. Resting against the latter is a collar 2| having openings formed therein parallel with its axis to receive springs 22 the opposite extremities of which extend into openings 23 formed in the adjacent face of the sleeve l8. Thus the springs 22 tend to force the sleeve I8 and clutch part H from the position shown in Figure 6 to that shown in Figure 7; that is they tend to force the clutch part |1 into engagement with the clutch part 5. Upon the' periphery of the sleeve I8 is a cam 24; and integral with the said sleeve a flange 25 is provided around the sleeve extremity adjacent the collar 2|. The purpose and operation of the cam 24 and flange 25 is hereinafter set forth.

Freely mounted on the extremity of the spindle 3 remote from the spindle I5 is a sprocket wheel 26 having a. plurality of openings formed therethrough parallel with the spindle axis. Fixed on the spindle 3 is a clutch plate 21, and freely mounted and axially movable along the said spindle is a second and cooperating clutch plate 28. Projectin laterally from the latter are a plurality of drive pins 30 which extend into the sprocket openings 29 so that when the clutch plates 21 and 28 are in engagement, as shown in Figure 6, rotation of the spindle 3 causes rotation of the sprocket 26 through the said clutch plates and the driving pins 30. Obviously when the clutch plates 21 and 28 are disengaged, as shown in Figure 7, the plate 28 and the sprocket 28 remain stationary,

3| denotes a shaft parallel with the spindle 3 and supported in bearings 32 for axial movement. Secured towards the extremities of the shaft 3| shifter yokes 33 and 34 which engage circular grooves 35 and 36 formed in the clutch plate 28 sleeve i8 respectively. The engagement of clutch parts l6 and H can only occur as and when the clutch plates 21 and 28 are dischat shaft 3| axially in the direction to disengage the alignment.

Thus under normal 7 clutch plates 21 and 28 and move the clutch parts I5 and I1 into engagement.

A rest 39 is provided upon the base 5, and is, in the present instance formed integral with the latter. The upper face of the rest is longitudinall slotted throughout its entire length as shown at 40; and through this slot the upper side of the conveyor chain I extends. Mounted upon the top of the rest 39 on opposite sides of the slot 4|! are a guide 4| and a platform 4|a, the upper surfaces of which are in horizontal Formed in the adjacent edge faces of the guide 4| and platform 4|a are ways 42 to receive and guide the'conveyor supporting attachments la, the tops of which" are substantially in alignment with the upper surfaces of the said guide and platform.

A chute 43, which in the present instance is also integral with the base 5 and rest 39, is positioned parallel with the conveyor chain I and spaced therefrom. This chute is enclosed by vertical walls and is divided into a plurality of compartments 44 by vertical partitions 45 extending at right angles to the conveyor chain. A pen 45 is provided upon the top of the chute 43 and constitutes an upward extension thereof. The rear and end walls of the pen coincide with the rear and end walls of the chute 43, but the pen end walls alsoproject forwardly over the platform 4 iaand terminate adjacent the conveyor chain I. The side of the pen adjacent the conveyor is also open. Vertical partitions 41 formed integral with the pen 46 also extend forwardly from its rear wall and coincide with the chute partitions 45; these partitions 41 however also extend over the platform Ma and terminate adjacent the conveyor chain Thus the pen is divided into compartments 48 the rear portions of which coincide with the chute compartments 44. A-

bumper 49 is secured to, and extends laterally from, the end wall of the pen 46 adjacent the tail sprocket 2 and projects across theconveyor chain I to limit the travel of packages A thereupon.

Mounted for transverse reciprocation upon the guide 4| and supported also upon a rear guide 55 is a slide 50 having a vertical pusher 5| thereon which normally'rests adjacent and parallel with the conveyor chain I. The rear guide 65 is, in the present instance, secured to a bracket 2| which extends upwardly from, and may be formed integral with, the base 5. 52 denotes a laterally disposed stop extending from the extremity of the pusher 5| remote from the tail sprocket 2 so that when the slide is moved across the conveyor chain in a manner hereinafter described the stop positively prevents the delivery of packages upon the conveyor past the stop.

Behind the rear wall of the pen 45 a yoke 53 is provided from which a plurality of contact members 54 extend forwardly through openings formed in the rear pen wall, one substantially centrally of each pen compartment 48. Projecting laterally from the extremity of the yoke 53 adjacent the tail sprocket 2 is a telescopic arm 55 the opposite end of which is secured to a brace 56 carried by the slide 50. A spring 51 connecting the extremities of the arm 55 regulates the length of the latter, and permits the yoke 53 and members 54 to move rearwardly by permitting elongation of the'telescopic arm if undue pressure is exerted against the said members 54.

Rotatably supported in suitable bearings 58 and 59 provided upon the base 5 is a shaft Ell. Be-

tween the said shaft and the spindle l5, and parallel with them, a stub shaft ii is mounted in a bearing 92. Fixed upon the shaft 90 is a gear 99 driven from the gear I9 through an intermediate gear it upon the stub shaft 9| Extending downwardly from the slide Ill through a slot Ila formed in the rear, guide I is a-pin 99 which engages a groove formed in a cam 91 mounted upon the shaft 60. Thus rotation of the cam 01 causes transverse reciprocation of the slide 90 through the pin 69.

A second conveyor mounted upon a subbase I9 is spaced beneath the base and passes under the chute 49.. In the present instance this conveyor 09 is provided with a plurality of rollers 99 arranged in pairs on opposite sides of a chain having spaced upwardly projecting carriers II thereon. The chain 10 intermediately of its length passes over and is driven by a head sprocket 12 mounted upon a shaft 19 which also has another sprocket I4 thereon, and at its extremities the chain 10 passes around conventional tail sprockets (not shown). The sprocket I4 is driven through a chain from a sprocket I0 mounted upon a shaft 'I'l which extends laterally beyond the conveyor and has a wheel 19 thereon from which a plurality of spokes 19a, 10b and 190 radiate. It will be noted that the spokes 10b and 190 are disposed at greater angularity to one another than the spokes 10a. Moreover the spokes 19b and He are each spaced at the same inclination to its adjacent spoke 19a as the latter are from one another for a purpose hereinafter set forth.

Mounted in bearings 19 depending from the base 5 is a horizontal shaft 80 which is suitably driven from the cam shaft 60 through a chain 8i and sprockets 02 and 83 mounted upon the shafts 60 and 80 respectively. Rotatably supported in a bearing 84 upon the base 5 and in a second bearing 95 provided upon the subbase 86 is a vertical spindle 91. The latter is driven through bevel gears 80 and 89 upon the shaft 80 and spindle 91 respectively. Provided upon the lower extremity of the latter is a radial trip 90. Each spoke 10a, 10b and 100 is contacted successively by the trip 90 when the spindle 91 turns, so that each revolution of the said spindle causes partial rotation of the shaft Ti and advances the chain 10 a predetermined distance. As viewed from Figure 13 the wheel .10 turns in a clockwise direction, and, owing to the greater spacing of the spokes 19b and Tile from one another, the wheel is turned through a greater angle when the spoke 1901s engaged by the trip 90.

Packing or shipping cases B are placed upon the lower conveyor, and are moved by the carriers 'Il beneath the chute 43 for filling. The carriers are so spaced that each case follows closely behind the one ahead of it. The shipping cases are usually divided into vertical compartments by partitions C, and the length of travel of the chain 10 each time the spindle 91 is turned is such that at the completion of each chain movement another row of compartments is positioned squarely beneath the chute compartments 44. It will also be noted that it is necessary to move the chain 10 a' greater distance after the last row of compartments in each case has been filled to compensate for the greater distance from the transverse center line through the last row of compartments in one case to the transverse center line through the first row in the next case, which occurs due to the two thicknesses of the end walls of the two cases plus any slight spac- QLQSS rotate in opposite directions.

ing there may be between the two cases. For that reason greater travel is provided when the spoke 180 is moved by the trip 90. It will also be noted that the total number of spokes I00, 10b and 100 must be equal to the number of transverse rows of compartments in the shipping cases B.

Supported in bearings 9| and 92 upon the base 9 is a horizontal shaft 99 which extends between the upper and lower portions of the conveyor chain I and has a sprocket 94 mounted upon one extremity. The latter is driven from the sprocket by a chain '95. 99 denotes runways for the conveyor supporting attachments in prior to their reaching the guide 4| and platform lla. Upwardly from the runways 96 retaining walls 91 extend adjacent the margins of the supporting attachments Ia to prevent packages upon the latter from spilling. Mounted upon outwardly projecting portions of these runways and extending vertically therethrough are opposed spindles 90 each of which has a bevel gear 99 on its lower extremity which meshes with a bevel gear I00 upon the shaft 93. These bevel gears 99 and I00 are so arranged that the spindles 98 loosely mounted upon the spindles 98 are opposed feed members I,0I which project through apertures formed in the walls 91 and extend partly over the conveyor supporting attachments Ia. I

The peripheries of the members IOI are so formed that as they are turned in opposite directions packages A being transported by the conveyor are engaged between them and advanced towards the tail sprocket 2. At the upper extremities of the spindles 90 nuts I02 are provided and between the latter and the feed members helical springs I03 are ,arranged. Through the latter friction is exerted upon the members so that packages engaged between them are advanced when the spindles 90 are rotated. The frictional engagement of these springs, however, is such that in the event that other packages already occupy the entire space upon the conveyor supporting attachments in. between the members IM and the bumper 49, the feed members will remain stationary and not force other packages onto the already fully occupied portion of the conveyor and damage some of the packages in so doing. The frictional grip of the springs I03 however is sufiicient to prevent rotation of the members IN by packages travelling with and upon the conveyor when the spindles 98 are not turning; so that then the members I0l function as stops for the packages.

Extending through the runway 96 immediately in front of' the slide 50, and rotatably mounted in the guide 4i and rest 39, is a vertical spindle I04 having a counter I05 thereon having radial arms I06 so positioned that each time a package upon the conveyor passes the counter is turned through a portion of a revolution. Mounted in suitable bearings I01 and I08 upon the base 5 is a shaft I09 having a gear 0 thereon which meshes with a gear III on the vertical spindle I04. The gearing H0 and III and the number of radial arms I06 upon the counter are so proportioned that the shaft I09 has completed one revolution when the number of packages which have passed the counter is equal to the number of compartments 48 in the pen 46. In other words each time the shaft I09 has completed one revolution there is a package opposite each of the compartments 40.

Fixed on the shaft I09 is a cam Ill. Pivotally mounted upon a pin I I3 projecting from the guide extension 05 is a lever II4 one extremity of which projects beneath the cam H2 and is adapted to' be depressed thereby.

Verticall movable in spacedbearings H5 carried by a bracket H6 upon the base 5 is an actuating rod II 1 around which an annular groove H8 is formed intermedlately of its length. The extremity of the lever H4 remote from the cam H2 is bifurcated and engages thegroove H so that pivotal movement of the lever moves the rod H1 vertically. A weight I I9 is provided upon the upper extremity of the rod H1, and a disclike element I20 is arranged on its lower extremity.

The element I20 is normally held down upon the periphery of the sleeve I8 and against the wide portion of the sleeve cam 24, as showndn Figure 6, by the weight H9. However as soon as the shaft I00 has been turned through one complete revolution by rotation of the counter I05, the cam H2 moves the lever II4 pivotally and raises the rod H1. Then the cam 24 is disengaged and the springs 22 and 38 move the clutch parts I and I1 into engagement, at which time the clutch plates 21 and 28 are disengaged through the shifters 33 and 34.

Rotation is then imparted to the spindle I5 by the tail sprocket 2 and spindle 3. Then the cam shaft 60, and through it the shaft 80 are rotated through the gear IS. The shaft 80 advances the conveyor chain 10 and the shipping cases 13 thereon in the manner already described;

and due to the formation of the cam 81 upon the shaft 60, movement of the slide 50 does not occur until the said conveyor chain 10 has completed its movement. The gears I9 and 03 are of course so proportioned that one revolution of the former imparts one revolution to the latter. Further after a shipping case B has again been correctly positioned beneath the chute 43 packages A upon the conveyor attachments Ia opposite the slide 50 are moved by the latter onto the platform 4Ia, and other packages already; upon the platform are moved by the first packages over the chute 43. Meanwhile, as. already stated, movement of the slide 50 also results in corresponding movement of the contact members 54, so that the packages being moved over the chute are supported between the said members 54 and the packages just leaving the conveyor so that they are thus held vertical.

As soon as the counter I05 is again turned by the next passing package, which usually occurs as soon as the slide 50 has returned to its normal position and the passage of the package is no longer obstructed by the stop 52, the cam H2 is rotated sufliciently to allow the extremity of the lever H4 beneath it to rise, and for the element I to drop onto the periphery of the sleeve I8. Then as the latter continues to rotate, the element I20 contacts the inclined edge face 24a of the cam 24 and moves the sleeve axially against the tension of the springs 22 and 38, thereby disengaging the coupling parts I6 and I1 and re-engaging the coupling plates 21 and 20 through the shifters 33 and 34. The collar limits the inward movement of the clutch part I1 by contact of the disc-like element I20 therewith when the latter is raised. a

The alternating] arrangement already described, whereby the sprocket 26 or the gear I9 is turned, is provided so that when the cam 61 is not being actuated and the slide 50 is in the position shown in Figures land 5, some of the packages A are fed towards the extremity of the conveyor across which the slide 50 travels by the rotary feed members IIII. However as soon as the cam 61 commences to turn rotation of the feed members IOI ceases and no more packages may pass them.

The stop 52 upon the slide 50 prevents any packages A which may have passed the feed members I0 I prior to the commencement of rotation of the cam 61, passing until the slide has returned to its initial position shown in Figure 1. This stop is preferably so positioned relative to the counter I05 that rotation of the latter cannot occur when the slide is in the position shown in Figures 10 and 11. It will however be seen that rotation of the counter is anticipated prior to the completion of. one revolution of the cam shaft 60 and must occur to halt the reciprocation of the slide and the intermittent movement of the lower conveyor. Disengagement of the clutch parts I6 and I1 and re-engagement of the clutch plates 21 and 20, only occurs through engagement of the element I20 with the cam 24 upon completion of one revolution of the spindle I5, and this occurs only after disengagement of the lever I I4 by the cam I I2 so that the actuating rod H5 has dropped to its bottom position.

In order to prevent the cam H2 moving to its. bottom position and turning the lever H4 so that movement of the slide 50 and conveyor chain 10 results when no shipping case is in position beneath the chute 43 a safety lock is provided, which is shown in Figures 5, 14 and 15. A horizontal rod I22 is axially slidable in a bearing I23 provided upon the subbase 30. One extremity of the rod I22 is provided with avertically elongated slot I24 through which a coupling pin I25 extends. Rotatably mounted transversely of the conveyor 68 is a shaft I26 on one extremity of which an arm I21 is secured. Through the outer extremity of this arm the pin I 25 extends; and fixed on the shaft I26 on one side of the conveyor chain 10 and adjacent thereto is an element I28. Around the rod I22 on the other side of the bearing I23, a spring I29 is arranged which extends between the said bearing and a collar I30 fixed around the rod. This spring tends to move the latter so that the distance between the bearing and the collar is increased. Beyond the collar a suitable handle I3I is provided upon the rod to permit ready manual movement thereof.

Intermediately of the length of the rod I22-an inclined face I32 is formed on its upper side; and supported upon the face I32 is the lower extremity of a vertical rod I33 which is also sup-. ported in the bearing I23. Secured-to the upper extremity of the rod I33 is an arm I34 from the upper face of which a locking pin I35 projects that is adapted to extend above the top of the base portion 5a through which it is vertically movable.

when the element I20 is depressed and the shaft 128 is turned, the arm I21 is moved into the position shown in Figure 5, and the rod I 22 is moved axially against the tension of the spring I29. Then the vertical rod I33 rests upon the low extremity of the inclined face I32 and consequently the rod I33.is in its bottom position. At that time the top of the locking pin I35 is substantially flush with the top of the base portion 5a so that the lever H4 may be turned by the cam H2. As soon as a shipping case passes oil the element I28 and it is no longer depressed, the spring I23 causes the horizontal rod I22 to move axially thereby raising the element to its position I28 a indicated in Figure 5. During this movement of the rod I22 the inclined face I32 travels beneath the lower extremity of the vertical rod I33 and raises the latter so that the looking pin I35 moves into a position immediately beneath the lever H4 and prevents the latter being turned by the cam II2.

Consequently the passage of the required number of packages A past the counter I will not cause reciprocation of the slide 50 unless there is a shipping case beneath the chute 43, because the cam H2 and its shaft I99 cannot rotate when the lever H4 is held immovable by the locking pin I35. Again when the cam H2 is thus held against further rotation the counter also cannot turn, therefore there is no danger of more than the desired number of packages passing the counter between each reciprocation of the slide.

In order to hold the shipping cases B against transverse movement upon the conveyor 68 and insure the compartments in the cases passing squarely beneath the chute compartments 44 guide rails I36 are preferably provided upon the said conveyor.

Further relative to the safety lock mechanism Just described, it will be noted that in the drawingsthe element I28 is not located directly beneath the chute 43 but somewhat on one side. It is however obvious that by lengthening the rod I22 the said element may be arranged squarely under the chute when such positioning is required.

As previously stated the shipping cases B into which the packages are packed may be provided with partitions C to divide them into separate compartments or cells, each of which is intended to receive a separate or individual, package. The cases are frequently made of relatively light, flexible material and the partitions of even lighter stock; again, the partitions are frequently only loosely arranged in the cases and are therefore to some extent movable therein. I therefore find it necessary to provide means for holding the vertical sides of the cases and /or the partitions upright and squarely positioned beneath the chute to insure proper delivery of the packages.

In Figures 11 and 12 an arrangement is shown for holding shipping case sides and particularly the partitions therein upright during the delivery of packages into the cases, when the partitions extend substantially to the tops of the cases. A frame i3? is secured beneath the chute 43 and is transversely divided by cross bars I38 each of which is positioned beneath one of the chute partitions 45. Pivoted upon each cross bar I38 and normally extending one towards each side are two straightening arms I39. A similar straightening arm I390. is also pivotally mounted on each longitudinal portion of the frame I31 on each side of each cross bar I38. Springs I4lla normally hold the arms i39 and I39a horizontal against ears I40 fixed upon the frame. These ears are so arranged that each limits the upward swing of a plurality of straightening arms.

From Figure 11 it will be noted that each tim a package is dropped down a chute compartment 44 a setvof straightening arms I39 and I390. is contacted by the package and moved pivotally downwards. thereby moving the partitions C into a substantially upright position squarely beneath the chute compartment 45. Again when the arms I39 and I39a are normally horizontally disposed neither they nor the frame I31 in any way interfere with the free passage of cases 3 on the conveyor 69.

I In Flgures 16 and 17' a modified arrangement is shown for holding the shipping case partitions substantially upright during loading and is particularly applicable when the height of the partitions is materially less than that of the sides of the shipping cases.

In this arrangement neither the chute I46 nor its upward extension or pen I43 has any partitions dividing its interior. Vertically movable in the chute I46 and pen I43 is a cage MI. The

lower portion of this cage which normally rests within the chute I46 is closed on all sides, whereas the front of the upper portion of the cage normally within the pen I43 is open. The cage throughout its entire height is divided by transverse walls I42 which correspond with the chute and pen partitions 45 and 41 respectively.

- Mounted upon the guide 4I and projecting upwardly therefrom adjacent one side of the slide 50 is a bearing I44, and extending upwardly from the slide is a standard I45. Formed through the end walls of the pen I43 and chute I46 are vertical slots I41. Extending outwardly from the extremities of the cage I4I through the slots I41 are pins I49. Extending across the top of the cage I M at sufilcient height to clear the top of the pen I43 when the former is lowered in a manner hereinafter set forth is a yoke I48, the downturned extremities of which are apertured for the passage of the pins I49 therethrough exteriorly of the pen.

Pivoted. on the bearing I44 is a bellcrank I50 the outer extremity of one arm I5I of which is slotted for the passage of one of the pins I49 therethrough, while the outer extremity of the other arm I52 is pivoted to one extremity of a link I 53. The other extremity of the latter is pivotally connected to the standard I45, and, in the present instance the link I53 is provided with a conventional lost motion connection including a slot I53a in order to shorten the length of the bellcrank arm I52. Secured to the inner faces of the cage MI and the partitions I42 are opposed pairs of leaf springs or, blade-like fingers, I54 the free extremities of which are somewhat inwardly flexed and terminate slightly below the cage.

As the slide 56 advances and the packages A on the platform 4 I a are pushed over the chute I46 the bellcrank I is turned thereby lowering the cage I to its position I4Ia. In that lowermost position the top of cage MI is indicated by the full line which is on a level with platform 4 la.

The movement of the cage is preferably such that in its bottom position the cage is spaced above the partitions CC, Figure 17, while the springs I 54 extend below the upper margins of these partitions. Thus it will be seen that as the inwardly flexed spring extremities are lowered they move into a substantially vertical position any partitions CC which are inwardly inclined and restrict the openings into the compartments which they definaand the weight of the falling packages straightens out the flexed spring extremities sufficiently for the packages to drop into their compartments.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the conveyor I imparts the drive to the entire machine, so that the latter only operates when the conveyor is in use. Again since all the movements of the packing machine are actuated through the friction drive imparted to the spindle 3 from the tail sprocket 2 the entire mechanism is free to stop in case of an accident occurring such as a package-A falling transversely across the platform Ma and preventing reciprocation of the slide ill unless the package is crushed.

A ain should the counter I" be somewhat hard to turn it might aetas a stop to prevent continued movement of the packages A with the conveyor I; the feed members I02 however prevent such an occurrence because they positively move the packages with the conveyor and would exert enough pressure upon a row of packages extending between them and the counter to turn the latter under all normal conditions.

While in the foregoing the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described and shown, it is understood that the construction is susceptible to such further alterations and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended T' claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination of a chute open at all times for packages to drop therethrough, a slide to deliver the packages thereinto, feeding means for transporting the packages within the range of the slide, a portion of the feeding means extending between the normal position of the slide and the chute, and means for checking the movement of the packages as they are delivered to the chut by the slide.

2. In a packing mechanism, the combination of conveying means for transporting packages, a chute adjacent one side thereof and open at all times for the packages to drop therethrough, a slide normally positioned on the other side thereof opposite the chute, means reciprocating the slide across the conveying means to plow the packages oh the latter, and means cooperative with the slide for checking the movement of the packages as they are delivered to the chute by the slide.

3. In a packing machine, the combination of conveying means for transporting packages, a chute open at all times for the packages to drop through on one side of the conveying means, a slide normally positioned adjacent the other side of the conveying means opposite the chute, means actuated bymovement of the conveying means reciprocating the slide across the conveying means and plowing the packages off the latter, and yieldable means for checking the movement of thepackages as they are transferred from the conveying means to the chute by the plowing action of the slide.

4. A packing mechanism comprising a conveyor on which packages are adapted to be transported, a chute open at all times for the packages to drop therethrough on one side of the conveyor, a stationary platform between the conveyor and the chute on which other packages are directly supported, and a slide normally positioned on the other side of the conveyor and mounted for reciprocation across the latter to push the packages thereupon onto the platform, this package move- 7 during its movement, aconveyor extending beneath the chute to carry shipping cases to receive the packages dropped therethrough, conveying means transporting the packages into position adjacent the slide, means controlled by the passage of the packages along the conveying means for actuating the conveyor and slide, means for stopping movement of the packages on the conveying means during operative movements of the slide, and means preventing the functioning of the conveyor and slide actuating means adapted to be released by shipping cases upon the conveyor.

7. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination of a chute, a reciprocating slide for pushing packages thereinto, means operating in alignment with the slide supporting the sides of the packages remote from said slide during its movement, a conveyor extending beneath the chute to carry shipping cases to receive the packages dropped therethrough, and means for moving the conveyor intermittently between each slide movement. I

8. In a mechanism, the combination set forth in claim 7, wherein means are provided for advancing the conveyor a greater distance than usual at regular intervals after the complete filling of each shipping case. 7

9. A packing mechanism including a conveying means for transporting packages, a chute down which the packages drop, a slide opposite the chute mounted for reciprocation across the-conveying means to plow the packages off the latter,

and means moving with the slide supporting the sides of the packages remote from the slide as they move over the chute.

10. A packing mechanism including a conveying means for transporting packages, a chute, a platform between the conveying means and the chute, a slide reciprocated across the conveying means for transferring the packages from the latter onto the, platform, the movement of said packages being adapted to force other packages already upon the platform over the chute, and means moving with the slidesupporting said other packages during their movement over the chute.

11. A mechanism of the character described comprising a continuously travelling conveyor, a

movable slide driven by the conveyor for plowing bers adjacent the conveyor adapted to positively advance the packages along the conveyor to turn the rotary means.

13. A mechanism of the character described comprising a chute open at all times for packages to drop therethrough, a conveyor to carry the packages towards the chute, means for trans erring the packages from the conveyor to the chute, means movable in alignment with the transfer means for steadying the packages as they are moved over the chute, a lever, means operated by the passage of the packages within the range of the transferring means for moving the lever,

and means actuated by movement of the lever for moving the transferring means.

ii. A mechanism of the character described. comprising a chute down which packages drop, a conveyor to carry packages towards the chute, means for transferring the packages from the conveyor to the chute, a second conveyor for intermittently positioning shipping cases beneath the chute, means controlling the operation of the first named conveyor and the package transfer means, a pivotally supported lever controlling the last named means, means for locking the lever against movement whenever a shipping case is not in position beneath the chute and thereby prevent the operation of the first named conveyor and the package transfer means, means for releasing the locking means to free the lever upon the positioning of a shipping case beneath the chute, and means for actuating the lever upon its release from the locking means to restore the first named conveyor and the package transfer means to operative condition.

15. The mechanism as set forth in claim'l i, wherein the locking means for the lever is controlled by a trip member which is adapted to be actuated by a shipping case positioned beneath the chute for the release of -thelever from its control of the package conveyor and the transfer means.

16. A mechanism of the character described comprising a chute down which packages drop, a conveyor to carry the packages towards the chute, means for transferring the packages 'from the conveyor to the chute, a lever, means operated by the passage of the packages within the range of the transfer means for moving the lever, and means actuated by movement of the lever for moving the transfer means; in combination with a second conveyor extending beneath the chute, and a trip adjacent the second conveyor normally preventing movement of the lever, said trip being adapted to be moved to release the leverv by a shipping case upon the'second conveyor.

1'7. A mechanism of the character described comprising a chute down which packages drop, a

' conveyor to carry the packages towards the chute,

means for transferring the packages from the conveyor to the chute, a lever, means operated by the passage of the packages within the range of the transfer means for moving the lever, and means actuated by movement of the lever for moving the transfer means, in combination with a second conveyor extending beneath the chute, and means for moving said second conveyor controlled by movement of the lever.

18. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination of a travelling conveyor including a tail sprocket, a. slide mounted for reciprocation across the conveyor to move packages off the latter, a rotary counter turned by the packages as they pass along upon the conveyor, means including a lever adapted to be actuated by the counter controlling actuation of the slide, other rotary means adjacent the conveyor for insuring that packages upon the conveyor move with the latter towards the counter, a spindle, and means actuated by the spindle and controlled by the lever alternately turning the rotary means and reciprocating the slide.

19. In an arrangement of the character described comprising a conveyor including a tail sprocket, a slide mounted for reciprocation across the conveyor, a chute adjacent a portion of the conveyor into which packages are delivered from the latter by the slide, a second conveyor including a driven sprocket wheel extending beneath the chute, a shaft on which the sprocket wheel is mounted, a spindle driven by the rotation of the tail sprocket of the first named conveyor, a radial trip on said spindle, and projecting members on said shaft contacted by said trip so that upon each revolution of the spindle the second conveyor is moved a predetermined distance.

20. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination of a chute open at all times for packages to drop therethrough, a slide to deliver the packages into the chute, feeding means for transporting the packages within the range of the slide, a portion of the feeding means extending between the normal position of the slide and the chute, means for checking the movement of the packages as they are delivered to the chute by the slide, and means automatically engaging the sides of shipping cases beneath the chute and holding them substantially vertical during delivery of the packages through the chute.

21. In a mechanism of the character described,

the combination of a chute open at all times for packages to drop therethrough, a slide to deliver the packages into the chute, feeding means for transporting the packages within the range of the slide, a-portion of the feeding means extending between the normal position of the slide and the chute, means for checking the movement of the packages as they are delivered to the chute by the slide, and means automatically engaging the sides of shipping cases beneath the chute and holding them substantially vertical during delivery of the packages through the chute, said automatic means normally resting entirely above said cases to permit their passage beneath the chute.

22. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination of a chute, a cage vertically movable therein, a slide adapted to feed packages into the chute, a conveyor carrying shipping cases to loading position beneath the chute, and means actuated by the final movement of the slide for moving the cagevertically to engage the sides of the shipping cases and hold them substantially vertical during the delivery of the packages down the chute into the cases.

23. In a mechanism of the. character described, the combination of atravelling conveyor including a tail sprocket, a slide mounted for reciprocation across the conveyor to move packages oil thescribed the combination of a conveyor including a tail sprocket, a slide mounted .for reciprocation across the conveyor, a chute adjacent a portion of the conveyor into which packages are delivered from the latter by the slide, a second conveyor including a driven sprocket wheel beneath the chute, a shaft on which the latter is mounted, a spindle driven by rotation of the tail sprocket, a trip on said spindle, and means on said shaft actuated by said trip whereby the second coriveyor is advanced.

25. In a packing machine for packing shipping cases having subdividing partitions comprising two sets of spaced parallel flexible strips crisscrossed with respect to one another to form individual compartments for the packages to be packed, the combination of a chute for the packages to drop through into the shipping case, means for supporting the shipping case beneath the chute, means for feeding a plurality of packages into the chute, transverse walls within the chute subdividing the same into individualchutes for the individual packages, and means for squaring up the criss-crossed flexible partitions to shape the individual compartments to receive the packages comprising yieldable blade-like fingers on the side walls of the chute intermediate said transversewalls and on both sides of each of the transverse walls and extending below the lower edges of the chute, said fingers at all times projecting in the direction of movement of the packages into the case, and means for causing said fingers to simultaneously engage the said criss-crossed partitions and shift the same at right angles to one another within the shipping case.

26. In a machine for packing shipping cases.

having subdividing partitions of flexible material therein to form cells for receiving individual packages, an elongated chute having parallel side walls adapted to receive the packages and direct them downwardly into the case, means for supporting a shipping case beneath the chute, means for simultaneously delivering a plurality of packages into the chute, means for separating the packages from one'another to correspond to the separation of the cells, transverse walls subdividing the elongated chute into a plurality of individual chutes for directing the individual packages, means for guiding the packages into their respective cells simultaneously and simultaneously therewith shifting said partitions to square up the cells to receive the packages comprising yieldable fingers depending from the side Walls of the chute intermediate each of said transverse walls and pairs of such fingers depending from each of said transverse walls, said fingers at all times projecting in the direction of movement of the packages into the case and adapted to engage the upper edges of the partitions, and means for causing the fingers to project within the cells.

27. In a machine for packing shipping cases having subdividing partitions of flexible material therein to form cells for receiving individual packages, an elongated chute having parallel side walls adapted to receive the packages and direct them downwardly into the case, means for supporting a shippingcase beneath the chute, means for simultaneously delivering a plurality of packages into the chute, means for separating the packages from one anotherto correspond to the separation of the cells, transverse walls subdividing the elongated chute into a plurality of individual chutes for directing the individual packages, and means for guiding the packages into their respective cells simultaneously and simul- 1 taneously therewith shifting said partitions to square up the cells to receive the packages comprising pairs of yieldable fingers depending from each of said transverse walls and at all times projecting in the direction of movement of the packages into the case, each of said pairs of fingers operating upon a partition between two adjacent cells to shift said partition correctly i, for the two packages descendingsimultaneously on the opposite sides of said partition, and means for causing the fingers to project within the cells.

28. In a machine for packing shipping cases having subdividing partitions of flexible material therein to form cells for receiving individual packages, a row of chutes having separating walls between them and adapted to receive individual packages and direct them downwardly into the case, means for supporting a shipping case beneath the same, means for simultaneously delivering packages into said respective chutes, means for guiding the packages into their respective cells simultaneously and simultaneously therewith shifting said partitions tosquare up the cells to receive the packages comprising blade-like spring fingers depending from the side walls of the chutes and pairs of such fingers depending from each of said separating walls, said fingers projecting inthe direction of movement of the packages into the case at all times and. adapted to engage the upper edges of the partitions, and means for causing the fingers to project within the cells.

29. In a machine for packing shipping cases having subdividing partitions of flexible material therein to form cells for receiving individual packages, a row of chutes having separating walls between them and adapted to receive individual packages and direct them downwardly into the case, means for supporting a shipping case beneath the same, means for simultaneously de-' livering packages into said respective chutes, means for guiding the packages into their respective cells simultaneously and simultaneously therewith shifting said partitions to square up the cells to receive the packages comprising pairs of blade-like spring fingers depending from each of said separating walls and at all times projecting in the direction of movement of the packages into the case, each of said pairs of fingers operating upon a partition'between two adjacent cells to shift said partition correctly for the two packages descending simultaneously on the opposite sides of said partition, and means for causing the fingers to project within the cells.

30. In a machine for packing shipping cases having subdividing partitions of flexible material therein to form cells for receiving individual packages, a row of passageways having separating walls between them and adapted to receive individual packages and direct them into the case, means for supporting a shipping case adjacent the end of the same to receive the packages, means for simultaneously delivering packages into said respective passageways and moving them therethrough, means for guiding the packages into their respective cells simultaneously and simultaneously therewith shifting said partitions to square up the cells to receive the packages comprising pairs of blade-like fingers projecting from the end of each of said separating walls and biased away from each other, each of said pairs of fingers operating upon a partition be- 4 tween two adjacent cells to shift said partition correctly for the two packages entering simultaneously on the opposite sides of said partition, and means for causing the fingers to project within the cells.

' ANTON NOVOTNY. 

